Saudi Professional League Coach of the Year Vuk Rasovic desires 'new success' at Al Dhafra

Saudi Professional League Coach of the Year Vuk Rasovic is determined to seek “new success” with Al Dhafra and prevent another dogfight against relegation.

Rasovic, 45, has inked a three-year deal with the ambitious Western Knights. The Germany-born, ex-Yugoslavia defender represents a promising appointment after he guided Al Faisaly to defeat in their first-ever King’s Cup final in May, plus lifted them from sixth to ninth during his only full season in charge.

At the same time, Dhafra finished just one point and one place outside the promotion/relegation play-off spots in the Arabian Gulf League. Rasovic has resolved to stop a repeat, especially with outstanding Al Hilal midfielder Nicolas Milesi among a flurry of intriguing recruits.

He said: “I have a great desire for new success with this team. I followed Al Dhafra and the Arabian Gulf League before signing and I have a good idea about the team.

The new man has also impressed in Europe. In 2012/13, he claimed the Serbian Super Liga crown with giants Partizan Belgrade.

Future glory at Dhafra will rest on the output of their four foreign additions.

Milesi won the SPL twice with Hilal, Brazilian midfielder Diego is the reigning Ligue 2 Player of the Year, centre-back Amine Atouchi represented Morocco at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and Helder Guedes is an ex-Portugal Under-21 forward.

Eid, 20, on Saturday joined an exclusive club of Emiratis who have inked temporary contracts with European outfits. Al Wahda and UAE centre-back Hamdan Al Kamali failed to make a first-team appearance for France giants Lyon in 2012, while younger brother Hamid became the first of his countrymen to play in the UEFA Champions League’s preliminaries while at Malta’s Valetta in 2014/15.

The 20-goal recipient of the 2017/18 Arabian Gulf Reserve League’s Silver Shoe Award will hope to make a greater impact at his new team, whom 14 of Croatia’s 22-man squad for Sunday’s World Cup 2018 final – including Real Madrid superstar Luka Modric – are either presently or previously employed.

“I will ensure not to miss this extraordinary opportunity and push myself to the limit to achieve my boundless ambitions,” said Eid, who is heading towards the side that current Boss coach Zoran Mamic successfully led from 2013-16.

“I know well what I am meant to do in the coming stage and I am determined to achieve the desired results and gains during this important period of my life.”

Eid did not appear for last term’s double winners in either the Arabian Gulf League or President’s Cup. His only taste of top-flight action to date is a four-minute cameo in January 2017’s 3-2 win at Hatta.

Then Bani Yas and UAE midfielder Amer Abdulrahman had an unsuccessful trial at the Championship’s Blackburn Rovers in 2013. Al Ain superstar Omar Abdulrahman was unable to acquire a work permit in the immediate aftermath of the London 2012 Olympics, after impressing at Premier League heavyweights Manchester City.

This latest move has echoes of neighbours Saudi Arabia’s decision to send nine players to Spain in January, prior to the ongoing World Cup.

Croatian media reported that Eid has signed a contract that states he is obliged to play for Dinamo’s reserves, if he does not meet criteria for a first-team spot.

Mamic and Dinamo are mired in legal problems. The 46-year-old was one of four men handed jail sentences in June – appeals are planned – because of their involvement in multi-million-euro abuse of power and graft related to the club.

They have won 12 out of the last 13 Croatian First Football League titles, including 2017/18’s return to first place.

Success in the top flight has gained Dinamo access to the second qualifying round of the 2018/19 Champions League.

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FC Nordsjalland winger Ernest Asante has become the first signing of Marcel Keizer’s reign at Al Jazira on a two-year contract.

Asante, 29, caught the eye at Right to Dream Park since he was snapped up from Norway’s Stabaek in August 2016. His trophyless two seasons in Denmark’s Superliga produced 21 goals and 13 assists across 66 appearances.

The uncapped Ghanaian will immediately take the place of influential Morocco centre midfielder Mbark Bousoufa in the four-player foreign quota, after the parties failed to agree a contract renewal.

No official announcement has been made yet by ex-Ajax boss Keizer about the futures of Brazilian forward Romarinho, compatriot Leonardo – who spent last term on loan at Saudi Professional League-outfit Al Nassr – or Oman internationals Mohammed Al Musalami and Harib Al Saadi.

“Al Jazira completed the signing of the Ghanaian winger Ernest Asante, and he will join the first football team of Al Jazira as soon as the preparations for the upcoming seasons starts,” read a club statement on Wednesday afternoon.